Olivia Colman picks up two Bafta awards

Actress Olivia Colman continued a year of unprecedented success tonight as she
picked up two Bafta television awards, was described as the Dame Judi Dench
of her generation - and thanked her parents for babysitting.

"If my kids are watching, it looked like I said a bad word, but I didn't; I said 'fudge', she joked, as she picked up the award.

"Turns out this does mean a lot. But I'm not going to cry."

She later added: "I have no idea how to put it into words. I can't believe it; I keep thinking its wrong."

It is the latest in a string of accolades for Colman, who was last week hailed as "irritatingly perfect" by colleague David Tennant.

Hugh Bonneville added she had the "phenomenal ability to be utterly spontaneous in every role she plays", with the "natural gift of being loved by everyone she works with."

Bonneville was also recognised at the awards ceremony, with Twenty Twelve winning best situation comedy.

The Channel 4 Paralympic coverage picked up the award for best sporting live event, beating the BBC's Olympic coverage, the "Super Saturday" medals and Andy Murray's Wimbledon win.

Presenter Clare Balding was also honoured with a "special award" for her career thus far, where she was hailed as a racing reporter-turned-"National Treasure".

Accepting the prize, named in honour of Richard Dimbleby, she paid a tearful tribute to her own "home team", "Mum, Dad" and her partner Alice.

"Thank you so much, this is extraordinary," she said.

"I am extremely well aware that this would not have happened if it wasn't for the magic of last summer; that incredible positive energy that made us believe we could do anything - and we did."

Host and Daily Telegraph columnist Graham Norton won best entertainment programme for his chat show, while Alan Carr took best entertainment performance.

The award for best feature was won by the Great British Bake Off, while Simon Russell Beale was named best supporting actor for his role in Henry IV: Part II.

He was joined by Ben Whishaw, who took best actor for his role in the BBC's Richard II (The Hollow Crown).

Best drama series was won by Last Tango in Halifax, while Room at the Top picked up best mini series.

Best "reality and constructed factual drama" was won by Made in Chelsea, as star Francis Boulle joked he had not realised one could win an award "for being posh".

The cast of Eastenders took home best soap, while Steve Coogan won best male in a comedy for Welcome to the Places of My Life.

The Radio Times Audience Award was taken by Game of Thrones, which beat the Olympics Opening Ceremony, Call the Midwife, Homeland, The Great British Bake Off and Strictly Come Dancing.

Sheridan Smith took home best actress for Mrs Biggs, while Monty Python's Terry Jones presented Michael Palin with a Bafta fellowship.

The Arqiva British Academy Television Awards were broadcast and hosted by Graham Norton, who entertained an audience of industry figures with a series of risque jokes about Holly Willoughby's cleavage, Ant and Dec's bald sports and Dame Helen Mirren's now-infamous outburst at a troupe of drummers while dressed as the Queen.